Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue encouraging through knowledge a natural balance

Wildlife Rescue Care for Birds

 

Many baby birds that sound in distress are perfectly health and very strong. Once temporarily abandoned by their parents in a bid to encourage their independence, the struggling youngster can become very distressed.
Usually protective parent stay very nearby to feed in an emergency and see them safely on their way. At this

 

 

point a well-meaning human mistakes their cry and decides to rescue the chirpy fledgling. They suffer stress, shock and sometimes die at the hands of the well meaning human. Wildlife is fearful of us. If a bear picked us up you would be scared and fear for your life.
Please do not remove a fledgling unless it is in obvious danger or injured
If you are sure he is in danger or injured take him to your nearest vet or bring him to us or your nearest wildlife rescue centre

 

 

Please be careful when you prune not to expose any nests and disturb any fledglings please prune early and late to avoid this, we get many orphans who have lost their home to pruning gardeners.
If you find a bird you believe to be abandoned or injured and wish to help him, place him in a box with ventilation and keep him warm, dark and quiet and seek help
Don't be tempted to keep peering at him. Your face will not help him relax. In fact it will have the opposite effect.

 

N.B. Do not put yourself or your family in danger when rescuing an animal. Call a rescue who will have experienced volunteers in this area and can give advice

 

Canker, flounce, or trichomonas in Pigeons, doves and raptors

 

Wildlife Rescue for fledglings & baby Birds

 

 

What to do if you find a baby bird.

If you find a baby bird on the ground or otherwise away from its nest, you must first determine whether it is, in fact, in need of assistance. Many songbird fledglings leave the nest several days before they can fly, and the parent birds are still caring for them and watching their safety, so do not need help. It may take up

to half an hour for a parent to return to its offspring, so patience is essential. If it is in immediate danger of becoming lunch for a cat or dog then scoop it up and place in a nearby bush or shrub out of harm's way. Since most birds have no significant sense of smell, moving a baby bird to safety or returning it to its nest should not cause the parents to abandon it.

 

If you find a baby bird with little or no feathers then it is going to need a bit more help. If you know where the nest is then return the bird to its nest. If the baby is cold to the touch then take it inside to warm it for 30 minutes before placing back in the nest. Use a hot water bottle or latex glove filled with warm water with a towel between the bird and the heat. Put the bird in a warm dark place where it is quiet, away from children and pets, until it is warm enough to be returned to the nest.

 

 

If you are unable to find the nest or if it is unreachable or destroyed, line a small basket or plastic container with material from the old nest (if available) or dry grass or leaves. Wire your nest to a branch about 5 or 6 feet from the ground (out of reach of predators or children) or fix it securely as close as possible to the old nest.

 

 

If the baby bird is visibly injured or ill, place it in a small box lined with tissues, paper towel or similar material and cover the top of the box, making sure there is enough ventilation for the bird to breathe, and contact your local wildlife rescue. Avoid excessive handling or loud noises, and do not be tempted to keep peering at the baby. It is very important that the baby is kept warm, especially as, even if not injured, it will be in shock. Place the box either somewhere like a warm an airing cupboard or on a hot water bottle covered in a towel

 

DO NOT attempt to give baby birds food or water as it is all too easy to get it into their lungs.

 

Please be careful when pruning hedges or bushes that you do not disturb or destroy nests or injure babies. Prune either early or late to avoid this.

Wildlife Rescue for Birds of Prey

We rescue many raptors or birds of prey each year some who have damaged their wings, been poisoned, damaged a leg, been hit by a car or are just too tiny to fend for themselves. We hand rear buzzards, kestrels, owls and other raptors to release back where they belong. The feeding regime is complex and rehabilitation is detailed and complicated but successful. If you find an orphaned buzzard or sparrow hawk or other bird of prey please contact us for help. Keep him quiet and dark. Human contact will not help.

 

Different birds eat different food. Do not attempt to put water in their beak as this can enter the lungs. Food is specialist and many food that some birds eat are harmful to others. It is much better to bring the feather creature to us or to your nearest wildlife rescue for expert help. Be very careful of their talons, these are the tools they use to defend and attack. We do not recommend you handling these birds unless you are experienced.

N.B. Do not put yourself or your family in danger when rescuing an animal. Call a rescue who will have experienced volunteers in this area and can give advice